Asia: NZ gets Asia commitment from all sectors

Asia: NZ gets Asia commitment from all sectors

Leaders from all sectors of New Zealand have demonstrated a clear commitment towards making the massive shift in attitude if New Zealand is going to be successful engaged with the Asian region, says Asia:NZ chair Sir Dryden Spring.

Sir Dryden was commenting on the participation of over 70 Business, Media, Culture and Education leaders at the Preparing for a Future with Asia Summit at Te Papa, Wellington, on September 14.

The summit was organised by the Asia New Zealand Foundation and based on the Asia Knowledge Working group report entitled Preparing for a Future with Asia that was made available in July.

“Asia: NZ is genuinely trying to find a way forward with partnerships throughout all sectors to drive this agenda forward. The focus on last week’s event was on the next 12 to 18 months and looking to set measurable steps towards achieving recommendations outlined in the report,” Sir Dryden said.

“This was achieved, particularly in the Education, Media and Culture sectors with some clear steps determined. More work is necessary in business. Asia: NZ is planning a business focussed event next year, Action Asia, which will link with Export Year 2007.

He said the Preparing for a Future with Asia event agreed on a number of immediate action areas and identified a range of valuable proposals that could be considered later.

Sir Dryden said Asia: NZ is in the unique position of having access to a broad cross section of stakeholders. It will continue to play a leading role in bringing these sectors together regularly to work towards addressing the recommendations highlighted in the report.

“By identifying the obstacles to change, we can bring about the required attitudinal shift towards Asia in incremental steps and realise the vision set out in the report of an Asia-literate New Zealand by the year 2020.”

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